A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary forfeiture of nine properties linked to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted the order following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), moved by its counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe.

In his ruling, the judge said: “An interim order of this honourable court is made forfeiting the properties being properties suspected to be proceeds of some unlawful activities pending the publication and hearing of the motion on notice for final forfeiture order.”

The judge added: “An order is made directing the publication for anyone who is interested in the property to appear within 14 days why the final order should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

The court further granted the EFCC’s request that the notice be published within seven days of receipt of the official court order. The matter was adjourned until May 25 for a report on compliance.

According to the EFCC, the application was filed under the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006. The agency said the properties are suspected to be linked to unlawful activities.

The properties are located in various high-value areas of Abuja. They include terrace buildings in Dakibiyu, a duplex with a penthouse and office space on Niger Street, a unit in Palm Springs Estate in Mpape, and several blocks of flats in Wuse, Garki and Maitama.

One of the buildings is currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency in Garki.